Phase I Archaeological Survey of Diverging Diamond Interchange Improvements at Jimmy Carter Boulevard and I-85, Gwinnett County, Georgia

During February and March 2011, Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey for the diverging diamond interchange improvements at the intersection of Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Interstate (I) 85 in Gwinnett County, Georgia (Project TIP No. ARC-GW345A and P .I. No. 00 I 0111 ). The goal of the survey was to locate and evaluate archaeological sites within the Area of Potential Effect (APE) of the proposed undertaking, so that potential effects to any resources identified could be evaluated in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHP A). EPEI surveyed this area as well as a 1 00-foot buffer or expanded survey corridor (ESC) as stipulated by the Georgia Department of Transportation's (GDOT) Environmental Procedures Manual. The project was conducted under a contract with Kimley-Hom and Associates, Inc. for GDOT. A review of the Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF) at the University of Georgia (UGA) in Athens showed that two previously identified archaeological sites are located within a !kilometer radius of the survey area; none are in the APE and one is in the ESC, 9GW164. Information regarding 9GW164 is very limited. The GASF site form lists UTMs for the site and indicates it is a cemetery identified through amateur survey, which is part of the Mary Stover Griffin Collection at the UGA. No other information is presented. Similarly, 9GW159 is described on the site form as the Everett Property found through amateur survey. No other data is provided with the exception of UTMs, which locate the site east of the project area. During fieldwork, no remains of a cemetery were identified in the reported location of 9GW164 or in any part of the APE or ESC, which is highly developed. Further research at the UGA map library uncovered two highway maps depicting two different mapped locations for the cemetery; neither are in the project area. No new archaeological sites or isolated finds were identified during the survey. Based on the results of the survey, EPEI recommends that no further archaeological work be undertaken; clearance for construction is recommended.